Page 178 of Princess of Bael

The third was full of throwing stars and smaller knives.

The next few had special kinds of bullets and guns.

And the final drawer had an item that had me immediately jumping away from it.

“Is that a… aholy blade?” I gaped up at him as I crouched on the floor near the bottom drawer. “You put a holy blade in the armory?”

“It’s the one Alastor owed you,” he replied, leaning casually against the dresser as though he hadn’t just revealed a weapon that couldkillhim. “Ashmedai told me to give it to you. I didn’t want to be upstaged, so I decided to wait until the armory was done.”

“Alastor gave me the blade?” I blinked. “He actually came through on his deal?”

“He did.”

“And you’re giving it to me now?”

“I am.”

“Why?”

“Because I trust you not to use it on me.” His expression turned serious. “But it’s yours, Kayla. I won’t hide it from you. And I’ll spend eternity trying to ensure you never feel the need to stab me with it.”

“That’s a dangerous risk,” I pointed out, only partially joking.

He didn’t laugh. Instead, he stared me straight in the eyes as he replied, “It’s one I’m willing to take.”

I glanced at the lethal item again before looking at him. “I want to spar.” I nudged that drawer closed and stood. “With my new sword. Not the holy blade.” Because I had no intention of ever using that item. But I would keep it for eternity because of what it represented—trust.

Ezra knew I wouldn’t use it.

However, he’d given me the tool I’d desired for thousands of years to use against him. The lethal blade I’d dreamt about driving into his heart every night for most of my life.

It was the kind of gift only beings like us could understand.

One that provided a dark sense of closure.

We’d entered a new chapter of our existence together. That blade represented my old life. The sword on the top shelf resembled my new one.

As the Archdemoness of Divinity.

The queen to Ezra’s king.

I held his gaze as I opened the top drawer. “Let’s play, Archangel.”

“No, Archdemoness,” he returned, a sword appearing in his hand as his golden irises glittered with intent. “Let’sdance.”

His feathers flickered around him.

Then he disappeared.

I smiled, sensing where he’d ventured off to.

Virginia.

Back to the street where it all began.

I picked up my new sword, my heart warming with excitement.There had better not be a Slither nearby.

Teleport to me and find out, beautiful queen. Then show me what you can do.